Fee Discounts & Certain Exceptions
Click the tab headings below to learn more (and download forms) for special discounts (military, seniors, and disability) as well as certain exceptions to Fishing License Requirements & Fees referenced in the 2021-22 New Mexico Fishing Rules and Info booklet.
See also Fishing License Requirements & Fees.
- Handicapped Fishing Licenses
Handicapped Fishing Licenses are available to New Mexico residents with a permanent disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants must have one or more disabilities that substantially limit major life activities. These fishing licenses require a Habitat Stamp, if applicable, and Habitat Management & Access Validation.
Disabled Veterans Game-hunting & Fishing Licenses
Residents who are disabled veterans of the armed services, but do not meet the 100%-disabled qualification, are eligible for a $10 Game-hunting & Fishing License. Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing Licenses are available online: www.onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us, at local vendors and NMDGF offices and by telephone. A Habitat Management & Access Validation and Habitat Stamp, if applicable (page 3), are required with the Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing License.
Free Licenses for 100% Disabled Veteran New Mexico Residents
New Mexico residents who are 100% disabled veterans of the armed services are eligible for a free lifetime Game-hunting & Fishing License. Disabled veterans may apply to NMDGF for a Disabled Veteran card, which allows the holder to fish, hunt small game and obtain a free deer hunting license. Card holders do not need to buy or possess a Habitat Stamp when fishing or hunting small game or deer. However, if trapping or if hunting turkey or other big-game species, the Habitat Stamp is required.
50% Discount for Resident Active Military and Veterans
50% discounts on all licenses, permits and stamps are available to New Mexico residents who are active duty military or veterans. The discount may be claimed by applying for or purchasing any license, permit or stamp online, by telephone or at any license vendor. Residents claiming this discount must be able to provide proof of active duty military or veteran status upon request. Discount does not apply to: license vendor fees or the Resident Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing license. For specific eligibility requirements, see Glossary.
Active Duty Military (N.M. Resident): Current active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard for a minimum period of 90 days. Members of the National Guard or Military Reserve Component and commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who have completed a minimum of six years of continuous honorable service.
Veteran (N.M. Resident): New Mexico resident veteran with a minimum of 90 days active duty service in the U.S. Military, or six continuous years in the National Guard, Military Reserve Component, or U.S. Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Veterans must have been honorably discharged from military service.
Reference (2020-21 NM Fishing Rules & Info pgs. 44-46)
Free Licenses for 100% Disabled Veteran New Mexico Residents
New Mexico residents who are 100% disabled veterans of the armed services are eligible for a free lifetime Game-hunting & Fishing License. Disabled veterans may apply to NMDGF for a Disabled Veteran card, which allows the holder to fish, hunt small game and obtain a free deer hunting license. Card holders do not need to buy or possess a Habitat Stamp when fishing or hunting small game or deer. However, if trapping or if hunting turkey or other big-game species, the Habitat Stamp is required.
Disabled Veterans Game-hunting & Fishing Licenses
Residents who are disabled veterans of the armed services, but do not meet the 100%-disabled qualification, are eligible for a $10 Game-hunting & Fishing License. Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing Licenses are available online: www.onlinesales.wildlife.state.nm.us, at local vendors and NMDGF offices and by telephone. A Habitat Management & Access Validation and Habitat Stamp, if applicable (page 3), are required with the Disabled Veteran Game-hunting & Fishing License.
Military Rehabilitation Fishing License
Members or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in rehabilitation programs that include the learning and practice of fishing skills are eligible for free fishing licenses. The rehabilitation program must be sponsored by the federal government or a nonprofit organization authorized by the federal government and it must be under the direction of a military or federal Veteran’s Administration rehabilitation center. The Habitat Management & Access Validation and the Habitat Stamp are not required.
Licenses and Age
While fishing in New Mexico, anglers 12 years and older must possess a valid New Mexico Fishing License or Game-hunting & Fishing License. (Need a license? Click Here to buy one online.) Licenses are valid April 1 through March 31 of the following year. A New Mexico Fishing License is not required on tribal reservations and private Class-A lakes.
Licenses are not required for resident and nonresident anglers 11 years of age or younger..
Junior Fishing Licenses are available to resident and nonresident anglers 12–17 years of age.
Senior Fishing Licenses are available to New Mexico resident anglers 65–69 years of age.
Free Fishing Licenses for New Mexico residents 70 years and older are available online, by phone and at license vendors and all NMDGF offices. Free fishing licenses are not available to nonresidents. Free licenses for 100%-disabled resident veterans (page 4) are available by application through the NMDGF Headquarters in Santa Fe, NM (page iv). Free fishing licenses do not require a Habitat Stamp, Habitat Management & Access Validation or a Second Rod Validation.
License Refunds and Transfers
New Mexico Fishing Licenses and Game-hunting & Fishing Licenses are nontransferable and nonrefundable. For more information, telephone the NMDGF Information Center toll-free: 1-888-248-6866.
License Information is Public Record
Pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, Sections 14-2-1 et. seq. NMSA 1978, all information provided when applying for licenses and permits is public record and must be disclosed to anyone when properly requested except as provided by law.
Parental Responsibility Act
The Parental Responsibility Act requires the New Mexico State Game Commission to revoke the recreational and professional licenses of anyone who does not comply with court-ordered child support obligations. The purpose is to discourage parental neglect of children by suspending hunting and fishing privileges until failure to pay court-ordered child support has been corrected. For more information, telephone
NMDGF Field Operations: (505) 476-8065 or toll-free: 1-888-248-6866.